#11

Stevie Wonder


SMIRNOV. This month I'm joined by Keeky Delbrannon. In this issue we'll look at some popular videos of Stevie Wonder. Won't we/

KEEKY. Get on with it.

SMIRNOV. I think 'Living for the city' is my favourite Stevie Wonder song.

KEEKY. Fuck that was good. I feel ot, you know, in ma soul. Hell yes! Give us another one, mother.


SMIRNOV. I taped that off radio when I was a lad.

KEEKY. Can we see The Cosby Show one? Please...please. I'll stand on my head for you!

SMIRNOV. Go on then.

SMIRNOV. Yeah so? By the way...Google Chrome is fucking shit!! Sorry Stevie!

KEEKY. It'll be Firefox that's fucking you about, Kool, if you have it open as well as Chrome.

SMIRNOV. Yeah. So?

KEEKY. Big hit, Autobahn 1, is it?

SMIRNOV. Potentially.

#10

SMIRNOV. Hi-ya. It's been a while. Busy as usual. Here's a British, early 80s 'Synthpop' special. Loved hearing this stuff for the first time as a kid. Many acts today try to ape this sound but it's lost something in translation. Will I do a rock special, a folk special? Don't know. No point in putting up videos of stuff I'm not that aware of. Although didn't Neil Young make an electronic album? It's often interesting when bands and artists make something that's not in their comfort zone.

SMIRNOV. I would have hosted the performance from The Old Grey Whistle test but the idiot who's hosting that performance has for some insane reason allowed those annoying adverts, where you have to fucking wait five seconds before you can watch the rest. Fucked up. I enjoy this sound though. Realyl captures the bleakness of early 80s life, in northern towns. Someone, I don't know who, said the 80s never really started until 1983. I kind of agree with that.

SMIRNOV. I was totally transfixed with this when I saw it on Top of The Pops in 1981. Pop music that can chill and spook.

SMIRNOV. OMD. Don't make fun of the jumper. Jumpers like that will be the 'in' thing come winter 2011/12, mark my words. Oh right. I can't find a decent video quality version of 'Underpass' by John Foxx. I was going to put that up next. The one decent video that there was has been ruined by some dumb ass (and I really hate this) anchoring lyrics to it, which ruins it. So here's some early Depeche Mode instead.

SMIRNOV. It was confusing in those days. Those men, Phil Oakey, Nick Rhodes, Adam Ant...all in make-up and looking good. Confusing...

SMIRNOV. I'm getting bored now. I was going to post one more but I can't be arsed. I'm miffed that the woman next door, who seems to have about ten sisters (all of who visit her everyday as she is also best mate's with her own sister) are still fucking about. It sounds like they're hollowing out a hearth, or whatever it's called for a fireplace. Annoying. I can't concentrate on trying to write. Fuck it. What's more annoying is that (as always) she  parks in the place of Mrs Kool, when there's an EMPTY FUCKING DRIVEWAY next door!!

#9 'YELLO'

SMIRNOV. According to the stats (i.e. visitors to this website, page views etc.) I can see you were all really fucking riveted to the 'chillwave' special. To those viewers, thanks for joining me. To those who missed it, and who still haven't watched EVERY VIDEO, fuck you. So this week I'm doing what I want (like I don't anyway). This is a special about YELLO.  It's more of a place to gather some HQ videos of the Swiss pioneers. I was going to give the ignorant a little lesson about Yello but you've heard of wikipedia. Use it. Here's Bostich.

SMIRNOV. Seriously check out these videos and other stuff by them. They are a decent act. They probably get overshadowed by Kraftwerk or are dismissed as the novelty band who made 'The Race' but they are so much more. You'll know this if you had been onto Wiki like I told you.

SMIRNOV. Jungle Bill is a little bonkers but Lost Again is sublime and captures the dark tone of the band. Let's have more!

SMIRNOV. Warning. The next video contains strobes. You've been warned. Don't come twitching to me if foam comes out your mouth.

SMIRNOV. The next video 'On Track' was a massive techno trance favourite and is still cited as a massive influence on many techno DJ's.

SMIRNOV. This next one could be my favourite Yello track. Could.

SMIRNOV. I'll leave you with a classic MTV performance, featuring an introduction from Ray Cokes. (How I miss the old days when MTV was about music).

#8

SMIRNOV. Hello. I'm back after a mid-summer break. I say that, but I'm bullshitting. Okay, what have I got for you this eve? For today's episode number, I will focus on the genre that is 'Chillwave', or rather what I sonically think are the roots of it. So what is this'Chillwave' thing and who came up with the term and why? Well, I'll try and explain over the course of the videos but I can guarantee that by the time that this episode has been compiled it's probably already evolved into 'Drillwave' or 'Shrillwave' or something like that. Anyway, let's start off with something that might be found in this, this 'field' of music.


SMIRNOV. According to Wikipedia and some bloke who wrote an article in The New York Times, chillwave is characterised by bands with weak lead vocals who trade on the memories of 1980s, specifically electropop, recession-era, low budget, ambient and shoegaze. Hm. Kind of. I'll let you know what my take is after the next video.



SMIRNOV. That was Washed Out, with 'Belong'. Now if you have ears, what you might be able to term from this 'genre' is not really how the New York Times gimp described it but rather how I describe it, which is less 1980s electropop and more a kind of Balearic version of soft synthetic rock of old, fed through a nostalgic-tinted filter of sun-kissed first loves, school disco cola and lazy, warm nights in council estates, dreaming of Miami or New York or Monte Carlo. Something like that. Probably. This is where the roots of this fad comes from, for me.

SMIRNOV. The term 'Chillwave' was reportedly made up by some fucking hipster. Now this might infer that it's a genre for hipsters, theatre producers, graphic designers and lesbian vegans. The youtube comments are rife with hipster dissing, usually from older hipsters. I don't know. It isn't exactly commerical but neither is it sterile and foppish. At a Washed Out gig I stood shoulder to shoulder with a bin-man and a serial killer. I was the least 'hip' of those two. Also I witnessed a couple of pissheads steal a giant Washed Out poster.  I enjoy this music in small doses as it reminds me of stuff like this.

SMIRNOV. Anyhow, most genres and 'movements', as we know, are compartmentalist. There is though, a bit of a trend in America for a certain style of music that evokes hazy memories of 1980s summers. This 'fad' has been going for a couple of years actually. Here's a track from Toro Y Moi.


SMIRNOV. Right, here's something from Neon Indian.

SMIRNOV. What now? Oh let's be post-modern, or pre-modern and dip into the past and see hear more roots from this musical fad.

SMIRNOV. I understand Jay Z fucked with and fucked up the song you just heard. On behalf of Jay Z, I'd like to say sorry for that. Sorry. Don't fuck with Alphaville. Just don't. Now let's bring you back into 2011 with this next act, who I've featured before on Autobahn 1. I'm going to finish my chicken burger.



SMIRNOV. Well I didn't actually manage to have my chicken burger as it wasn't cooked properly, so I made do with toasted cheese sandwich. Here's something which, surely must have influenced Washed Out.


SMIRNOV. For you non-UK residents under 40, that was Noel Edmonds introducing that clip. That hairstyle. I'll tell you something about that in a moment. He's something of a British institution, having worked on Radio 1, hosted saturday morning kids television shows, various game shows and currently Deal or No Deal. He was even killed by Clive Anderson in 1997, courtesy of Chris Morris. He has a reputation for being naff and creating a monster called Mr Blobby. A friend of my dad's had this exact hairstyle, around 1978. Only it was ginger. He came round once to see him but my dad was out so he asked my mum if he could wait. He fell asleep in front of the TV. My dad went apeshit when he came back from the pub. I was only an infant at the time but that hairstyle has awkward memories. Here's one from Memory Tapes. Live in Manchester.

SMIRNOV. Okay, I'm nearing the end of this, a-hem 'Chillwave' special. Here's something which I feel wouldn't sound out of place on  DJ's setlist. Or shouldn't, at any rate, sound out of place. Is it too hip to slow dance with someone anymore?

SMIRNOV. Hahaha what does video and link to Chillwave genre communicate really, that it's essentially conservative yuppie wine bar pop? I hope not. You can make lush, hazy, melancholic pop with a laptop these days. It's not negative. Right since we're approaching the end of summer, I'll leave you with one of my favourite songs of all time. I feel it fits in nicely to this episode's playlist. See you next time.

#7

SMIRNOV. Hi. Haven't been on holiday, just the odd day out, a bit of decorating. Was a bit worried that Autobahn 1 would get looted but there was nothing to worry about. I only have a half eaten jam roly poly and an Espana 82 tea cup worth stealing. OK. Since Fox Tavern is currently living it up in New York with his mistress, I've been left holding the baby. Here are some current recent tracks that I may or may not like. Starting with this...


SMIRNOV. There's a sexy remix of this by Mylo. You should check that out. Or not. Next up, something fab and new by Bjork.



SMIRNOV. I have nothing witty to say about this next video.



SMIRNOV. This next one is the token holiday track. It's from 1985, granted. On the radio all the time in that strange, odd, hot, carefree summer. Larks and youthful follies were never far away.


SMIRNOV. Like that? Hmm. I have the album from our next artists, Casa Del Mirto. This is actually a real video, with the members of the band in it, as opposed to grabbing old films from archives.



SMIRNOV. Alright, bye for now. Thanks for spending half an hour with me or so. More soon. I really have to go, my mouse is fucking around. I'll leave you with an oldie from a band who've written and produced some fine pop songs. I like them.

#6

FOX TAVERN. Hi. Fox Tavern here. Today's edition is coming, more or less, live, from the 2001 bar The Bee and Seagull. To mark the occasion we'll be featuring videos and performances of the stuff I listened to and enjoyed in 2001. If you were hoping for Gomez or something, then you'd better leave the bar now.




FOX. Did ya like that? Mirwais was famous for a little while in 2000/2001 due to his production work on 'Music' by Madonna. OK, thanks for your messages regarding last episode's Patrick Bateman special. I'm sure we'll do similar literary themes in the future. Or not. We're still an exclusive show at the mo. Because, new visitors, you're actually supposed to watch the videos and not just read this stuff. It's been upgraded/updated for mobile devices too.  And the great thing about Autobahn 1 is that the archives are here, no need to set the VHS/VCR. OK, over to Jools Holland to introduce the next song.



FOX. I'm sure some of you pedants will say 'hang on Fox or Mr. Tavern...that wasn't from 2001...' well it don't matter! The songs and bands existed in 2001, and I, along with The Bee and Seagull are honouring a selection.  Now The Avalanches have been promising an album for around ten years. The latest news is that 2012 will see the release of their next album. Apparently they are getting samples cleared or something.  Erm...so yeah. This one is a classic, that I don't think I've heard since 2001.

FOX. This next track and video isn't from 2001, but the band came into prominence that year, round about then.  But I've selected this because I like the video. But I love most of their videos, you know, for Poor Leno and Eple. It's Royksopp. And this one. Really, this video is the seagull's beak. It's just ace.



FOX. Right in an age of sterility, here's a song and video about sterility. Ironic? Non!



FOX. Yet again, an amazing video. As you can tell from this, from Mirwais and from the next act, I listened to a lot of French disco/house music in those days. It had more panache and bite than much of the bland based rock of the early millennium. After all the future was then, wasn't it? Wasn't...it? Remember the millennium and all the bollocks and shit talking that took place around it? Ah, those were the days. Shit-talking continues to this day, 'fraid.



FOX. This was from the Discovery album. Certain editions contained a Daft Club card, which was kind of like a credit card but without any credit limit or indeed any shop (even the Daft Shop) that would take it. The album isn't bad and along with the animated film is kind of a curio. Still an amazing track however.

OK. I'm out of here. Well, I'm going to have a 2001 snack of Archers and pasta salad.

#5 'Patrick Bateman'

SMIRNOV. Hola. Welcome to this special edition of Autobahn 1. I'm in a thematic mood this week. I know what you're thinking. Is 'thematic' an actual mood? I don't have the answer for that. The theme I've chosen is Patrick Bateman. If you don't know who the hell Patrick Bateman is you'll be under the illusion that I've thrown together a few random yuppie-ish 80s/influenced videos for the hell of it. Even if you have, and you get the reference you'll still think I've cobbled together a few tunes that would go down well at The Dagmar in 1987 with loveable yuppie rapist, James Willmot-Brown. And you'd be wrong. In a way. First up, it's this iron lady.



SMIRNOV. Here's what Bateman has to say about the next act.

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.  Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. 






SMIRNOV. That one was featured in Miami Vice during a moody, driving at night scene for Don Johnson. Miami Vice was basically a 1980s pop video really. I like Michael Mann's style. Shame I can't afford it. Here's something fairly indulgent/pretentious/whatever.



Patrick Bateman: Do you like Huey Lewis and The News?
Paul Allen: They're OK.
Patrick Bateman: Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far much more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
Paul Allen: Hey Halberstram.
Patrick Bateman: Yes, Allen?
Paul Allen: Why are their copies of the style section all over the place, d-do you have a dog? A little chow or something?
Patrick Bateman: No, Allen.
Paul Allen: Is that a rain coat?
Patrick Bateman: Yes it is! In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
[raises axe above head]
Patrick Bateman: Hey Paul!
[he bashes Allen in the head with the axe, and blood splatters over him]
Patrick Bateman: TRY GETTING A RESERVATION AT DORSIA NOW YOU FUCKING STUPID BASTARD! YOU, FUCKING BASTARD!
(Source. Brett Easton-Ellis)



SMIRNOV. Here's something pretentious. HURTS basically ripped the heart out of it and made it more vacant.



SMIRNOV. I prefer the tracks 'Buffalo Gals' and 'Waltz Darling.' OK more Bateman-esque vacancies...



I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip. (Brett Easton-Ellis, American Psycho)


Patrick Bateman: Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston had 4 number one singles on it? Did you know that, Christie?
Elizabeth: [laughing] You actually listen to Whitney Houston? You own a Whitney Houston CD? More than one?
Patrick Bateman: It's hard to choose a favorite among so many great tracks, but "The Greatest Love of All" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, Elizabeth, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message, crucial really. And it's beautifully stated on the album. (Source: American Psycho by Brett Easton-Ellis)



SMIRNOV. I always liked How Will I Know? myself. I think there's a version of the above song by Cannon and Ball. Oakey doke. That's all for now. Night, night.